Mixed-mode, analogue-digital simulation using SPICE-like circuit analysis programs

Allen, P.E. and Zuberek, W.M.

IEE Journal of Semicustom ICs, vol.8, no.3, pp.33-45, 1990.

Abstract:

An approach to integrated mixed-mode simulation is described in which the popular SPICE circuit simulator is extended to analyze digital circuits at the gate, functional or behavioral levels. The analogue-to-digital conversion is provided by (multilevel) parameterized "thresholders" which assign digital signals to subranges of voltages determined by a set of voltage thresholds. The digital-to-analogue conversion is implemented by voltage sources with "controlled" characteristics that convert discrete digital signals into continuous piecewise linear functions. The paper outlines internal organization of mixed, analogue-digital simulation, discusses modification of analyses and extensions to the input language needed for analogue-digital interactions, and highlights the specification of digital circuits. Simple examples of mixed, analogue-digital circuits and mixed-mode simulation illustrate this approach.

Keywords:

Circuit simulation, mixed-mode simulation, a/d conversion, d/a conversion, SPICE-PAC.

References:

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